Tabung Haji Complies With Saudi Arabia's Security Instructions

MAKKAH, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, through the Haj Fund Board (TH) succeeded in complying fully with the safety instructions stipulated by the Saudi Arabian government to ensure the smooth operations in performing the haj rituals in the Holy Land. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom said that beginning this year, there were new conditions imposed by the Saudi Arabian government for a more efficient monitoring of haj pilgrims worldwide especially involving security aspects. "Congratulations to Tabung Haji (Haj Fund) for being able to implement 100 per cent in terms of complying with the instructions, and Malaysia is among the nations that fully fulfilled the new requirements. "They included the scanning of the 10 fingerprints of the pilgrims and wearing of the `E-hajj' bracelets which contain important information for the pilgrims while in the Holy Land," he said at a media conference after visiting the TH Makkah Headquarters at the Hotel Abraj Janadriyah, here Thursday. Also present during the visit were TH Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Johan Abdullah, Haj Delegation Head Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman, Melaka Chief Minister Idris Haron, Terengganu Chief Minister Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman and a member of the TH Board of Directors Badruddin Amiruldin. Jamil Khir said in addition, TH was now fully prepared to give its service to 22,320 Malaysian haj pilgrims who would begin the Masyai'ir operations involving the wukuf or being present in Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina including stoning the devil in Jamrat. He said the preparations included introducing the `Haj Mobility' application which is the monitoring of the bus movement to Arafah as well as the 'Safari Wukuf' program which is the system of bringing patients in a systematic manner to Arafah. "Safari Wukuf is seen as the best measure to ensure comfort for the sick pilgrims when performing the wukuf," he said. The Wukuf in Arafah is on Sunday and all hal pilgrims will begin moving to Arafah a day before. -- BERNAMA